To disrupt the stigma around family violence, we have to face the harsh realities. Once you are more aware, you will start to recognize what is out there. And there are no trigger warnings in real life.

The anguish comes in waves.

The biggest crashes are when my children cry out for you. They are innocent and unknowing of what you have done to me, and what you have done to them.

One-in-three women also share this secret! It's something that fills us with shame, pain, self-blame... and fear! We become experts at keeping this secret, leading those around us to think everything's okay and that we've got this.

I hope you never have to experience this or never have. 

Three years ago one of my friends died in a brutal, violent, senseless way.

Her death in a murder / suicide killing spree in central Alberta shook my world.

I am no stranger to domestic abuse. I lived with it for most of my life. Does that make it any harder (or easier) to process, to deal with, to understand violence & abuse? No. Not really. Why?